Even after he was in bed and the light out he saw it looking at him, and the last thing he remembered he was covering his face with the sheet to shut it from his sight. CHAPTER XV “MAN PROPOSES, BUT GOD DISPOSES” “Claremont, August —— “To Miss Irene Burdick, Oakfield, Mass. “Johnnie is very low with malignant diphtheria. Come at once. James Burdick.” This telegram was brought to Mrs. Parks’ house on the morning after Irene’s adventure at the well, and was received by her just as she had finished her breakfast and was taking her seat upon the piazza, where she believed she should soon welcome Mr. Travers, or hear from him. Her success at the well had put her in high spirits, and although she felt annoyed that Mrs. Parks should have disturbed what seemed almost like lovemaking, by her call to dinner, she had been very gracious to that lady when she reached the house, and very profuse in her apologies for her tardiness; and she seemed so happy that Rena said to her when they were alone in their room: “Has Mr. Travers proposed, and have you told him everything? What did he say? Tell me.” Irene tossed her head airily and answered: “I’ve nothing much to tell except that he never seemed so loverlike as he did this morning, and I know he was about to speak when that horrid old woman’s scream came down to us saying the steak was cold as a stone. That broke the spell, but he is to see me to-morrow, and his manner was so different from what it has ever been that I am sure he means business, and I shall depend on you to help me and take your share of the blame. I’ll confess I am rather nervous and do not like to meet it alone, especially as it is not my fault.”